Yesterday and today another round of meetings (sorry, engagement opportunity) at the Lambeth Palace Library are taking place between various groups of stakeholders with an interest, one way or another (progressive and conservative) in the Living n Love and Faith process. I went to the previous meetings to represent Changing Attitude England.
The email invitation to this round of meetings said that “as LLF in moving into a new phase, with new lead bishops and staff members, we would like to invite you to another engagement opportunity. This will be a chance for you to meet the new lead bishops, +Helen-Ann Hartley and +Martyn Snow, and the new Programme Manager Nick Shepherd and an opportunity for them to update you on their approach to LLF going forward.”
Yesterday, eleven groups met, separated into two cohorts.
9.30-10.45: AffCath, ACiS, Society of Catholic Priests, SMMS, WATCH
11.00 – 12.15: Inclusive Evangelicals , Modern Church, Church for Everyone, The Evangelical Forum in General Synod, EQUAL, Inclusive Church
This morning six groups are meeting, including Robert Thompson representing Changing Attitude England.
09.30 – 10.45 Student Christian Movement, OneBodyOneFaith, Diverse Church, Changing Attitude, MOSAIC, Clergy Consultation
Steve Connor, who represented EQUAL at yesterday’s second meeting, has written this devastating account of the information they were given.
Report on LLF engagement opportunity
“We were told that the “archbishops” (though only one’s opinion matters) have decided to postpone the implementation of stand alone prayers of blessing for same sex couples, and the introduction of new pastoral guidance replacing the odious “Issues in Human Sexuality” document as promised in last February’s and November’s Synod meetings (in spite of General Synod voting not once but twice for these last year).
“The language is no longer about “implementation” of the General Synod’s wishes, but “settlement” with those who oppose them. A new raft of measures commending stand-alone prayers and new pastoral guidance allowing same sex clergy to marry will not be introduced until/unless some form of structural differentiation for those who want to live in their own doctrinal bubble, safely cocooned from the rest of us in the CofE whilst still retaining their rights and privileges within it has been developed.
“This in spite of General Synod twice rejecting any moves in that direction when those opposed to LLF tried to introduce amendments of that nature. That is not settlement, but capitulation to those very people whose lamentable behaviour the archbishop criticised in that same building less than three months ago. It is also a derogation from the concept of synodical governance, and an abuse of ecclesial power.
“This is not leadership! One of those there was immediately minded of Neville Chamberlain waving his white piece of paper. The same thought came to me. This is nothing less than appeasement of those who try to bully and cajole the rest of the church into their own narrowly defined and myopic interpretation of scripture, who reject the threefold nature of Anglican doctrine (scripture, tradition AND reason), and would have us live in a pre-enlightenment theocracy if they could!”
The essence of the new volte-face
• The archbishops have decided to postpone the implementation of stand alone prayers of blessing for same sex couples, and the introduction of new pastoral guidance replacing “Issues in Human Sexuality”.
• A settlement with those who oppose this is now the priority.
• A new raft of measures commending stand-alone prayers and new pastoral guidance allowing same sex clergy to marry will not be introduced until/unless some form of structural differentiation has been developed.
• This is despite General Synod voting twice to reject any such development.
